NATIONAL SUMMARY
Driving Prices Up
– Farmers taking advantage of prices and securing the remainder of good quality cereal hay to be stored for when conditions are not as favorable.
– The recent increase in milk prices for Australian dairy farmers will see a potential shift in the coming twelve months on the amount of fodder purchased by this sector.
– A new season shortage of good quality cereal how as many growers weigh up a potential wet spring, increase in mice and good grain prices with reports of flooding in China and Russia’s grain harvest significantly down.
– Wet and cold conditions have continued across Southern Australia and into Western Australia which are predicted to be the same for the remainder of August. This means some farmers will need to seek out additional fodder to carry valuable stock through until viable grasses are up, and paddocks can handle traffic again.
Driving Prices Down
– Significant amount of weather damaged hay is on the market now as growers look to move this before the new season. Any farmers that are wanting to purchase fodder are not interested in lower grade meaning this product will continue to sit on the market for some time and will be slow to move.
– Many farmers continue to work through conserved on farm stores eliminating a need to buy in feed. Last spring a significant amount of silage was made across New South Wales and Victoria and farmers have only started to utilise this feed since early June.
– Domestic hay trade has been at all time low for eighteen months due to improved conditions across the entire country. High prices and big volumes being frighted over significant distances was a reflection of long-term drought primarily on the eastern side of the country which has now ended.
Local News
– Rain again this week across many parts making conditions difficult for growers wanting to spray and fertilise. Paddocks are not drying out between weather fronts and with the combination of significant cold, crop growth has slowed but with five weeks till spring growers are still anticipating a good finish to the season.
– Farmers in many regions are feeding out while paddock grass is dormant and to prevent stock from bogging up paddocks that will be grazed or cut for silage in the spring.
– Wet and cold conditions have significantly delayed the harvest of summer crops with many having to abandon some maize chopping in the southern Victoria.
– In the north demand in the Atherton Tablelands remains steady with a small amount moving locally. Following the recent rainfall in QLD many parts including the Tablelands have had an influx of fresh grass. The Darling Downs region reporting one of the best starts to a season following good rainfall for the first half of the year.
– Southern Australia is again on track for a good season with timely rain, most regions are reporting good growth. Several key factors still needed to take place and a relatively dry spring to improve on last year’s season.
– Western Australia has recorded one of its best season breaks. Rain has been widespread this season with reports July was one of the wettest months on record. Perditions of high yielding crops continue to be discussed for the west. Prices remain strong for all fodder types in WA.
– Buyers are encouraged to feed test and view fodder before purchasing to be sure of the quality of the feed.